Civic building award for Merlin Park Hospital

It was a case of two in a row for Merlin Park University Hospital when it won the Galway City Tidy Towns and Garden award for a second time recently.

It won the Civic Building award in the Public and Commercial Buildings section of the competition.

The title is in recognition of people and businesses who work to improve their environment, foster civic pride and make Galway city a better place to live in, work in, and to visit.

Accepting the award from Deputy Mayor Michael Cubbard, Margaret O'Toole, the business manager of the hospital, said she was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the hospital.

"While we as a hospital focus on patients and getting them back to their best possible health, our grounds are also important and adds value to our patients high standard of care.

“Winning the 2016 award gave us encouragement to look at what else we could do to enhance our environment. Since than we decided to take some positive steps in raising awareness of the importance of looking after our hospital grounds for the benefit of our patients, visitors, and staff."

She outlined that in April this year the hospital held a successful environmental appreciation day for staff.

"In preparation for this, a big site tidy up took place, including washing all the signage, upgrading the lily pond area and planting over 50 trees to replace ones that died down through the years.

"Staff share a sense of pride in receiving this award and going forward we are all determined to continue to work together to keep this hospital looking well for our patients, visitors and staff."